It is often said that it’s never too late to achieve your dreams - even if it does mean jumping from a plane at the age of 74.

Much to the alarm of some family members, Nick Cheevers from Hemsby is set to leap from a height of 13,000ft at a specially organised fundraising event on April 29.

The challenge at Ellough Airfield is being held to raise money for East Coast Hospice, who provide palliative care facilities for those affected by terminal illness in the Great Yarmouth and Waveney area.

Having heard about the event, Mr Cheevers decided it would be a perfect opportunity to finally fulfil one of his lifelong ambitions.

“I read something in the Mercury a few weeks ago about an organised skydive for the hospice and thought it was time to give it a go,” said Mr Cheevers.

“The closest thing I’ve done to this was paragliding at 6,000ft in Turkey a few years ago and I loved it. I wouldn’t say I’m necessarily a thrill-seeker but I don’t really have any fear about things like this.”

East Coast Hospice came into being in 2007, when a group of like-minded people determined to change the care landscape in the area came together as the founding trustees.

Mr Cheevers is looking to raise £500 for the charity, whose primary goal is the construction of a ten-bed specialist palliative care facility with day-care and complementary therapies for people in Great Yarmouth and Waveney - something the area is distinctly lacking.

With the big day just a month away, he is pleased with the support he has received so far and doesn’t appear to have a nervous bone in his body

“The fundraising is going very well so far and some people have been really generous,” added Mr Cheevers.

“I don’t personally know anyone who has done this, let alone anyone my age, but age is just a number in my opinion. 13,000ft doesn’t sound all that bad to me, but then you learn that it equates to two miles and for the first part of the dive you’re travelling at 120mph!

“My family are obviously a bit worried about me, but I know they’ll be cheering me on.”